SNIPPET: Thought to have originated as a silent Play, performed by masked players in the Middle Ages, mumming is still carried on in many countries, including Ireland. Based on the legend of Saint George and the Seven Champions of Christendom, the mummers play was a dumb show -- hence the word 'mum,' meaning 'silent.' It was traditionally enacted on Christmas Day by masked performers. The main plot consisted of a duel between Saint George and an infidel knight in which one of them is killed but is later revived by a doctor. The mummers' play has changed slightly over the years. The duels often take place between Saint George or Saint Patrick and a well-known scoundrel such as Oliver Cromwell, etc. ... Cuchulainn and Fionn Mac Cumhaill sometimes figure in the duels also. Nowadays, rhymes are spoken by the different players -- these vary slightly from place to place. Other forms of mumming were played in some places -- Bandbeggars, Wrenboys and Strawboys were always popular in Ireland. After a country wedding, when the party was taking place and all the neighbours were gathered in the house, there would be a loud knock on the door and the Strawmen would swarm into the kitchen to dance and to sing. It was supposedly a lucky sign if the Strawmen came -- if they didn't come there was a fear that some ill luck would occur. They were also meant to bring a symbol of fertility to the newly-married couple. Wrenboys usually performed at Halloween and at Christmas. They carried a dead wren, as blood was supposed to appease the gods ... a lucky omen. The Wrenboys wore masks and sang and danced to entertain the household. Lately, that custom has changed to 'Trick or Treat' at Halloween. The horse is also part of the mummers' play - handed down traditionally. In Munster the Billyboys travel around at Halloween. They carry a doll - perhaps an effigy of Saint Brigid or some other person. The doll is also a sign of fertility. Many of these old customs date back to Pre-Christian times and to the four main divisions of the year at which pagan festivals were celebrated: Feabhra (February), Bealtaine (May), Lughnasa (August) and Samhain (November). The plays performed by the mummers may be connected with fertility and the re-gaining of life after death. The rhymes may be changed and dances performed to suit the area or country where they live. In Sofia, in Bulgaria, groups gather from all over the world to perform their rituals on a few occasions each year. Straw is used mainly by Irish mummers but other countries also wear straw headgear and skirts. Masks are worn everywhere and so the voices behind the masks are mumbled - as part of the disguise. The actual origins of mumming can only be guessed at but they are certainly of Pre-Christian origin. They have become modernised but still show Good fighting Evil and Good always winning. One of the best-known groups of Mummers are the Aughakillamaude Mummers of County Fermanagh. They travel to Bulgaria to take part in the rituals there. Cavan, Leitrim, Donegal, Kerry and Wexford also keep the tradition alive ... Posted by permission, "Leitrim Guardian" yearly magazine.